When he first arrived in Australia, several prospective syndications declined to purchase a share in him, describing him as crook looking and too lanky.

Prone to injuries, it was an effort for dedicated Sydney trainer Les Bridge just to get the horse to the races.

But there was no doubting his ability on the racetrack, especially considering his rich staying pedigree.

Bought for less than $20000 and owned by six men, K.M. Mitchell, R. Lazarus, R. Mann, A.T. McDonell, T. Strickland, and A.E.N. Curtis, who each paid $3750 for a share, Kensei (NZ) became one of the most popular horses to set a hoof on the Grafton Racecourse.

But despite winning the 1987 Grafton Cup in emphatic style, his local legendary status was not ignited until the first Tuesday in November of the same year, when the 5-year-old gelding lined up in the most famous two-mile handicap race in the country at Flemington, and won.

Given a patient ride by jockey Larry Olsen, Kensei (NZ) produced one of the greatest Melbourne Cup victories ever seen, charging up on the inside rail and passing the giant mare and fellow New Zealand bred competitor Empire Rose (NZ) to win the race that stops a nation, without going around another horse.

At the finish, Kensei (NZ) had half a length to spare over Empire Rose (NZ) with the race favourite Rosedale back in third.

He had won the Melbourne Cup, and he had also become the first horse to complete the Grafton Cup – Melbourne Cup double.

Kensei (NZ) returned to Flemington the following year for the 1988 Melbourne Cup where he ran an honest race and finished 10th, beaten eight lengths.

While Kensei (NZ) failed to win another race following his Melbourne Cup triumph, the horse returned to Grafton and paraded before the start of the 1991 Grafton Cup.

Kensei (NZ) retired as a winner of more than $1.1 million.

During his career he raced more than 60 times, winning 9 races and placing in a further 13.

Today, his name proudly adorns the Kensei Lounge, a fitting tribute to a horse which helped to put the July Racing Carnival on the map and elevated the status of the Grafton Cup as a lead in race to the Melbourne Cup.

This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 30 October 2024.